NHBC 10 Year Warranty

An NHBC warranty, specifically the Buildmark policy from the National House-Building Council (NHBC), offers 10 years of protection for new-build homes in the UK. It combines a 2-year builder warranty with 8 years of structural defects insurance.

During the first two years, the builder is responsible for fixing any defects, with NHBC backing the builder’s obligations. From years three to ten, the policy provides insurance against structural issues and problems such as contaminated land.

The warranty is fully paid for by the builder, meaning there’s no cost to the homeowner, and includes additional benefits like deposit protection and cover if the homeowner cannot live in the property due to necessary repairs.

Buildmark Policy Overview

• Duration: Covers a period of 10 years from the date your new-build home is completed.
• Provider: NHBC (National House-Building Council)

What’s Included:

• Pre-Completion: Protects your deposit if the builder becomes insolvent before your home is finished.
• Years 1–2 (Builder Warranty): The builder is responsible for fixing defects that do not meet NHBC standards. NHBC guarantees the builder’s obligations during this time.
• Years 3–10 (Insurance): Provides insurance cover for damage caused by structural defects, such as issues with the foundations. It also includes cover for problems related to contaminated land.

Key Features & Benefits

• No Cost to Homeowner: The warranty premium is paid by the builder, so homeowners don’t need to pay anything.
• Insolvency Protection: Covers situations where the builder goes out of business before completing the property.
• Transferable Warranty: The cover stays with the home, not the homeowner, so it can be passed on to future buyers.
• Dispute Resolution Service: NHBC offers a resolution service to help settle disputes with the builder.

How It Works

• Full details of the cover, including any exclusions, are outlined in the Buildmark policy documents.
• During Years 1–2: Homeowners should report any issues directly to the builder.
• During Years 3–10: For claims under the insurance period, homeowners should refer to their policy documents and contact NHBC directly.